PUTTENHAM GOLF CLUB PACE OF PLAY POLICY

Rules of Golf - Rule 5.6b. Prompt pace of play.

A round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace.

Your pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take other players to play their rounds, including both those in your group and those in following groups. You are encouraged to allow faster groups to play through.

Pace of Play Recommendations.

You should play at a prompt pace throughout the round, including the time taken to:

Prepare for and make each stroke,

Move from one place to another between strokes, and

Move to the next teeing area after completing a hole.

You should prepare in advance for your next stroke and be ready to play when it is your turn.

Playing Out of Turn to Help Pace of Play (Ready Golf).

In stroke play, play "ready golf" in a safe and responsible way.

In match play, you and your opponent may agree that one of you will play out of turn to save time

General Play

Leading matches have a responsibility to set the pace for the rest of the field.

Make up ground on the match in front of you after playing a short hole.

Leave the halfway hut as soon as the 10th tee is clear, if necessary taking your refreshments with you.

On the Tee

Be ready to play without delay as soon as the match ahead have played their shots and are out of range.

All members of the group to take a clear, careful line on wayward balls.

If a wayward ball is clearly in trouble, play a provisional ball.

Looking for a Ball

Walk directly to your own wayward ball before assisting with other ball searches.

If, during the search for a wayward ball, the match behind is seen to be waiting, then invite them to come through immediately.

Maximum ball search is 3 minutes, after this the ball is lost and you must play the provisional ball.

When called through, make sure you catch up with the match in front.

From the Fairway

Avoid continually changing club selection and keep practise swings to a minimum before playing your shot and no practice swings afterwards.

Do not stand admiring your shot but walk briskly after the ball.

Think ahead to where you can most conveniently place your trolley or bag for exit from the green to the next tee and take such clubs as are necessary to complete the hole.

Take a clear, careful line on wayward balls and if a wayward ball is clearly in trouble, play a provisional.

On the Green

Judge the line of your putt at the same time as other player(s).

You can elect to leave the pin in the hole when putting on the green.

In medal play, if your putt finishes close to the hole, follow up and tap in (with permission).

When the first player has putted out, he should collect the pin ready to put back, after the other players(s) have completed the hole.

After putting, leave the green promptly and proceed to the next tee.

Mark your card when you get to the next tee, whilst ensuring that you are ready to take your turn to tee off.

Discipline

Help and encourage other players who you judge to be unduly slow in their play, if they ignore your advice to improve their pace of play, then report them to a Club official.

The Committee is empowered to penalise players who fail to achieve a prompt pace of play.

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